Footpath trading

To help you understand the requirements of a Footpath Trading Permit, the following key conditions must be met:

• Pedestrian Zone: A minimum clear width of 1.8 metres must always be maintained for pedestrian access.
• Kerbside Zone: A minimum clear width of 0.3 metres must always be maintained next to the kerb.
• Clearance Between Businesses: At least 0.5 metres must be kept clear between neighbouring businesses.
• Minimum Footpath Width: Footpaths must be at least 2.5 metres wide to allow trading. This ensures the 1.8 metre pedestrian zone and 0.3 metre kerbside zone remain clear.
• Location of Trading: Trading is only permitted directly in front of your shop front. Trading in front of neighbouring businesses is not permitted.
• Permit Display: Permit stickers must be displayed on the front window or door of your premises to ensure compliance.
• Liquor Service: Businesses wishing to serve liquor in their Trading Zone must apply for a Footpath Trading Permit with Liquor and hold a current liquor licence.
• Council Assets & Infrastructure: At least 0.5 metres clearance is required from any council assets (e.g. bins, poles, seats).
• Bus Stops, Loading & Taxi Zones: A minimum clearance of 1.5 metres must be kept on either side.
• Accessible Parking Spaces: Trading Zones are not permitted directly in front of accessible car parks.
• Items on footpath: All items associated with footpath trading must be removed from the Trading Zone at the close of the trading day. Items are not to be stored on the footpath unless approved as a condition of the permit (additional fees may apply).
• Placement of Items: All items must always remain within the approved Trading Zone, including during bad weather. Items must never be placed in the Pedestrian Zone.
• Permit Transfer: Permits may be transferred to a new owner if the business activity and location remain the same, and Footpath Trading is notified in writing. See Policy 5.23 for further details.
• Permit Period: we are transitioning away from 01 August to 31 July to 1 July to 30 June (yearly permits). 

Please note: ‘Footpath Trading’ and ‘Commercial Activities’ are used interchangeably throughout the website and application form.

For more detailed information on all conditions, please refer to the Footpath Trading Policy.

If you require further information about Footpath Trading, please contact Community Safety on 5950 1434 or email footpathtrading@mornpen.vic.gov.au.

To assist, the policy divided the footpath into three zones and clearances:

1. Pedestrian Zone
   The Pedestrian Zone extends from the property boundary for a minimum of 1.8 meters to allow clear and unobstructed access for footpath users. Where the frontage of a building is set back from other adjacent buildings on the street forming an irregular building line, this space may be considered part of the Trading Zone, however it must not interfere with the safe and unimpeded use of the footpath. No items are permitted to be placed within the Pedestrian Zone.
   
   
2. Trading Zone

   The Trading Zone is the section of footpath between the Pedestrian Zone and the Kerbside Zone. Permit holders may place items in this area in accordance with their approved Footpath Trading Permit.

3. Kerbside Zone

   The Kerbside Zone is located between the Trading Zone and the kerb of the road. The Kerbside Zone must be a minimum of 0.3 meters wide to allow safe access to vehicles parked at the roadside and for safe refuge for pedestrians crossing the road. A wider Kerbside Zone may be required in some circumstances to safeguard Shire or other Authority infrastructure. No items permitted to be placed on the footpath this policy may be placed within the Kerbside Zone.

4. Clearances
   A minimum clearance of 0.5 meters must be maintained on either side of the business frontage to create a walkway from the Kerbside Zone through the Trading Zone and into the Pedestrian Zone.
   
   A minimum clearance of 0.5 meters or greater must be provided on either side of any asset permanently affixed to the footpath such as, but not limited to, rubbish bins, parking meters, bike racks, post boxes, fire hydrants, bollards, seats, traffic signal boxes and service pits. 

 

Application Fee Amnesty Period
Council is waiving the $165.90 application fee for all new Footpath Trading Permits for a period of 12 Months ending on 1 November 2026. Permit fees still apply.

Fees 2026-27:

• Footpath Trading $104.00 per square metre
• Footpath Trading with Liquor $129.00 per square metre

 Calculating your Fees:

The Trading Zone is the section of the footpath allocated for your business to place items such as tables, chairs, barriers, or displays. Fees are calculated based on the full Trading Zone area in use, not the sizes of the items placed within it.

To work out your total square metre area, plan where all your items will go in the Trading Zone. Measure the full length and the full width of that area, then multiply those two numbers (length × width). The result is your total square metres. 

Please note, you are not required to use the entire area of the footpath in front of your shop. You may choose to trade within a smaller area if preferred. 

If you are applying for an A-Frame sign, please allow for 1 square metre of space, regardless of size.

Example only:

Measure the Length 4.5m
Measure the Width 2.8

4.5 x 2.8 = Total 12.6 square meterage

Please review your documents carefully before uploading. If any of the requested information is missing, we will need to request it from you, which will delay the processing of your permit. 

 To apply or renew a permit, you need to provide the following:

1. Copy of your Public Liability Insurance Policies, "Certificate of Currency" - MUST have the following details:

• Company/Business & Trading name,
• Business address,
• Date of period covered,
• Minimum of $20 Million coverage,
• Your policy MUST list Mornington Peninsula Shire as the interested party (most Important),
•  Tax invoices, statements, or terms and conditions of your insurance policy will not be accepted.

2. Detailed Site Map of your Footpath Trading Zone, MUST have the following details listed on your site map: 

For a visual idea of how to create your site map, please go to the above tab "Understanding the Footpath Zones".

•  Kerbside Zone (min. 0.3m): Area between the Trading Zone and the kerb.
• Pedestrian Zone (min. 1.8m wide): For pedestrian use only.
• End Clearances (min. 0.5m each side): Space between your Trading Zone and neighbouring areas.
• Trading Zone size (m²): Include total area (width × length).
• Existing infrastructure: Mark items such as bins, seats, bike racks, or trees.

All trading zone measurements will be verified and adjusted where necessary to ensure accuracy and consistency across all applications. Further invoices will be issued for applications where the trading zone size has been underestimated.

3. Provide photos of all items that will be placed on the footpath within the approved Trading Zone.

Apply online

Please avoid creating an account using your personal details, as all invoices, permits, and correspondence will be issued under the details provided at the time of application. Please create your account under your Business or Sole Trader name. 

All new applications are charged a pro-rata daily fee from the date of application through to 30 June. Full payment is required at the time your application is lodged. Please note that submission and payment of an application does not constitute approval.

Renewals Notices are automatically issued via email for the period of 01 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

Please review your documents carefully before uploading. If any of the required information is missing, we will need to request it from you, which will delay the processing of your permit.

To apply or renew a permit, you need to provide the following:

1. Copy of your Public Liability Insurance Policies, "Certificate of Currency" - must have the following details:

• Company/Business & Trading name,
• Business address,
• Date of period covered,
• Minimum of $20 Million coverage,
• Your policy MUST list Mornington Peninsula Shire as the interested party (most important),
•  Tax invoices, statements, or terms and conditions of your insurance policy will not be accepted.

 2. Detailed Site Map of your Footpath Trading Zone, MUST have the following details listed on your site map:

For a visual idea of how to create your site map, please go to the above tab "Understanding the Footpath Zones".

• Kerbside Zone (min. 0.3m): Area between the Trading Zone and the kerb.
• Pedestrian Zone (min. 1.8m wide): For pedestrian use only.
• End Clearances (min. 0.5m each side): Space between your Trading Zone and neighbouring areas.
• Trading Zone size (m²): Include total area (width × length).
• Existing infrastructure: Mark items such as bins, seats, bike racks, or trees.

All trading zone measurements will be verified and adjusted where necessary to ensure accuracy and consistency across all applications. Further invoices will be issued for applications where the trading zone size has been underestimated.

3. Liquor Licence (VGCCC), must be current and show the following details: 

• Business Name (must match insurance policy),
• Trading Name,
• Business Address,
• Expiry Date,
• Pending transfer notifications are not accepted.

4. Provide photos of all items that will be placed on the footpath within the approved Trading Zone.

Apply online

 Please avoid creating an account using your personal details, as all invoices, permits, and correspondence will be issued under the details provided at the time of application. Please create your account under your Business or Sole Trader name.  

All new applications are charged a pro-rata daily fee from the date of application through to 30 June. Full payment is required at the time your application is lodged. Please note that submission and payment of an application does not constitute approval.

Renewals Notices are automatically issued via email for the period of 01 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.